23 Jul How to Move Internationally from Mexico with Your Pet: Permits, Certificates, and Step-by-Step Logistics
International relocation with pets from Mexico: what you need to know before you start
Relocating your home to another country requires careful planning, expertise, and the right partners. When your family includes a pet, the logistics take on an added dimension: health requirements, official certifications, transport conditions, and timelines that leave no room for error. Moving internationally from Mexico with a pet is entirely achievable — the key is understanding each step and executing it with the lead time the process demands.
At IMS Movers, with over 75 years of experience in domestic and international relocation, we guide our clients through every detail of this process, including the transport of their four-legged companions. This guide outlines the essential elements you need to consider.
Step 1: Check your destination country’s requirements
Before filing any paperwork in Mexico, you must find out what the receiving country requires. Every nation has its own rules for bringing in companion animals: some require quarantine periods, others mandate an ISO microchip, a titration test for rabies antibodies, or specific forms from their health authority. Countries such as the United States, Canada, Spain, Germany, and Australia each have different — and in some cases very strict — regulations.
We recommend starting this research at least four to six months in advance. Mistakes at this stage can lead to delays, refusal of entry at the border, or, in the worst case, mandatory quarantine for your pet.
Step 2: Procedures with SENASICA — Mexico’s animal health authority
The National Service for Agro-Food Health, Safety and Quality (SENASICA), under SAGARPA/SADER, is the agency responsible for regulating the export of animals from Mexican territory. To legally export a pet, the following are required:
- Export Zoosanitary Certificate: an official document issued by a SENASICA-accredited veterinarian. It certifies that the animal is clinically and health-wise fit to travel and meets the conditions required by the destination country.
- ISO 11784/11785 microchip: electronic identification that is mandatory for most international destinations. It must be implanted before vaccines are administered for the registration to be valid.
- Current rabies vaccine: administered by a certified veterinarian, at least 30 days before travel and within the validity period required by the destination country.
- Complete vaccination record: a physical, up-to-date log of all the animal’s vaccines and deworming treatments.
- Rabies antibody titration test (FAVN): required by some European Union countries, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other restricted-access territories. This test must be carried out at internationally accredited laboratories, and results can take several weeks.
It is essential that the Zoosanitary Certificate be issued in the days immediately before travel, as many countries require it to be no more than 10 days old at the time of entry.
Step 3: Transport options — air, ground, or combined
The mode of transport will depend on the destination, the size of the pet, and the policies of each airline or freight service. There are three main approaches:
- Passenger cabin: available only for small pets, in a carrier that meets the airline’s size requirements. Spaces are limited and advance booking is mandatory.
- Airline cargo hold (excess baggage or cargo): for medium and large pets. Requires an approved rigid IATA-compliant kennel with adequate ventilation and temperature-controlled conditions.
- Specialized pet relocation services: companies integrated within the moving logistics that handle the pet’s transport as a standalone service, including tracking, specialized handling, and coordination with agents at the destination.
At IMS Movers, we coordinate your pet’s logistics as an integral part of the international moving process, ensuring every stage aligns with your relocation timeline.
Step 4: Kennel preparation and your pet’s well-being during the journey
The kennel must comply with IATA standards: rigid construction, metal-locking doors, ventilation on three sides, and enough space for the animal to stand up, turn around, and lie down naturally. We recommend getting your pet comfortable with the kennel several weeks before the trip to reduce stress during transport.
Always consult your veterinarian about whether sedatives are appropriate for your animal. Many airlines and animal welfare experts advise against their use during flights due to the risks they pose at altitude.
Step 5: Full coordination with your moving company
The greatest advantage of working with a truly experienced international moving company is the ability to coordinate all elements as a single, unified system. The transport of your belongings, customs management, professional packing, and your pet’s logistics should never be handled separately and in an uncoordinated way.
With over 75 years accompanying international relocations, IMS Movers guarantees a door-to-door worldwide process with constant communication, agreed-upon timelines, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing every detail is under control. Your relocation — and that of every member of your family — arrives safely at its new destination.
Move your pet with the confidence that comes from experience
Moving internationally from Mexico with a pet is not something you can improvise. It requires knowledge of international health regulations, precise coordination, and a partner with the infrastructure and track record to execute every stage without setbacks. At IMS Movers, that partner is us.
Request your quote and receive personalized guidance to plan the move of your home and your pet to your new destination. We move your home to its new destination — IMS Movers.